David Blough and the Offensive Staffing Thread

[skinsinparadise]

to follow up on my last post. I've said before Quinn seems like he wants to treat this run like a Tony Robbins seminar of some sort. He doesn't want to do X's and O's. But motivate and brotherhood this team to a SB. And lol, it feels like we are on this existential ride with Quinn. It's a very personality driven ride. The whole rap about how he hired someone to dissect his first coaching stint. About how much he's motivated for this 2nd stint. The whole article from golong about season 1, was mostly about personality-motivation-brotherhood-mindset.

And on my end, I am into that stuff more than most. But if Quinn doesn't work out here, IMO it might be because he's too carried away with. It feels over the top. And if you are hiring an offensive coordinator because of where it falls on the spectrum of the Quinn journey in his career -- that can end up a mistake.

I get the sense that Quinn right now is lol writing some sort of 100 page document about all of the things he will do different from last season and the past -- updating it from the past. And he's deep deep in thought about all of it. If so, some of that might be good -- but some of it might end up being overcorrections that don't fit the current task at hand.

I think Quinn means well and works his ass off. As a fan of the team, of course I root for him. And as a dude, he's easy to root for. And I know I am spitballing some of this. But I've read that golong article many times. And Quinn in that article seemed obsessed with motivation-bonding-personality. The narratives about each week had a theme, Jaws week against the Eagles, etc. On and on and on.

And again I like that stuff more than most. And heck I have employees and i push sometimes the motivational card with them, and use it to motivate myself, I love reading about sports psychology and studied social psychology in college -- but you can also get a bit carried away with it and overthink and overlearn where you can veer from trying one thing to another and the product comes off disjointed. Will see. But lol, i do have some concerns.

I think Peters did a worse job than Quinn last off season. But I am more confident that Peters can bounce back than I am that Quinn will. But I hold no bitterness to either and believe both deserve a chance to bounce back. But if they don't, especially as to Quinn I'd want him gone.

 

[Conn]

Former NFL OL. Obviously we know which type we all hope Blough turns out to be, if he gets the time to grow into it.

What a weird situation

 

[Chris 44]

to follow up on my last post. I've said before Quinn seems like he wants to treat this run like a Tony Robbins seminar of some sort. He doesn't want to do X's and O's. But motivate and brotherhood this team to a SB. And lol, it feels like we are on this existential ride with Quinn. It's a very personality driven ride. The whole rap about how he hired someone to dissect his first coaching stint. About how much he's motivated for this 2nd stint. The whole article from golong about season 1, was mostly about personality-motivation-brotherhood-mindset.

And on my end, I am into that stuff more than most. But if Quinn doesn't work out here, IMO it might be because he's too carried away with. It feels over the top. And if you are hiring an offensive coordinator because of where it falls on the spectrum of the Quinn journey in his career -- that can end up a mistake.

I get the sense that Quinn right now is lol writing some sort of 100 page document about all of the things he will do different from last season and the past -- updating it from the past. And he's deep deep in thought about all of it. If so, some of that might be good -- but some of it might end up being overcorrections that don't fit the current task at hand.

I think Quinn means well and works his ass off. As a fan of the team, of course I root for him. And as a dude, he's easy to root for. And I know I am spitballing some of this. But I've read that golong article many times. And Quinn in that article seemed obsessed with motivation-bonding-personality. The narratives about each week had a theme, Jaws week against the Eagles, etc. On and on and on.

And again I like that stuff more than most. And heck I have employees and i push sometimes the motivational card with them, and use it to motivate myself, I love reading about sports psychology and studied social psychology in college -- but you can also get a bit carried away with it and overthink and overlearn where you can veer from trying one thing to another and the product comes off disjointed. Will see. But lol, i do have some concerns.

I think Peters did a worse job than Quinn last off season. But I am more confident that Peters can bounce back than I am that Quinn will. But I hold no bitterness to either and believe both deserve a chance to bounce back. But if they don't, especially as to Quinn I'd want him gone.

Well said, I have the same outlook toward what appears to be his mind set in regards to his approach to the HC position. In my mind, plainly speaking, you get the right players and coaches then you get the X's and O's right, the rest of the "fluff", though also important, is ultimately secondary and tends to naturally follow. A great locker room is desirable but you have to get the other stuff right or that great locker room is meaningless.

 

[Conn]

to follow up on my last post. I've said before Quinn seems like he wants to treat this run like a Tony Robbins seminar of some sort. He doesn't want to do X's and O's. But motivate and brotherhood this team to a SB. And lol, it feels like we are on this existential ride with Quinn. It's a very personality driven ride. The whole rap about how he hired someone to dissect his first coaching stint. About how much he's motivated for this 2nd stint. The whole article from golong about season 1, was mostly about personality-motivation-brotherhood-mindset.

And on my end, I am into that stuff more than most. But if Quinn doesn't work out here, IMO it might be because he's too carried away with. It feels over the top. And if you are hiring an offensive coordinator because of where it falls on the spectrum of the Quinn journey in his career -- that can end up a mistake.

I get the sense that Quinn right now is lol writing some sort of 100 page document about all of the things he will do different from last season and the past -- updating it from the past. And he's deep deep in thought about all of it. If so, some of that might be good -- but some of it might end up being overcorrections that don't fit the current task at hand.

I think Quinn means well and works his ass off. As a fan of the team, of course I root for him. And as a dude, he's easy to root for. And I know I am spitballing some of this. But I've read that golong article many times. And Quinn in that article seemed obsessed with motivation-bonding-personality. The narratives about each week had a theme, Jaws week against the Eagles, etc. On and on and on.

And again I like that stuff more than most. And heck I have employees and i push sometimes the motivational card with them, and use it to motivate myself, I love reading about sports psychology and studied social psychology in college -- but you can also get a bit carried away with it and overthink and overlearn where you can veer from trying one thing to another and the product comes off disjointed. Will see. But lol, i do have some concerns.

I think Peters did a worse job than Quinn last off season. But I am more confident that Peters can bounce back than I am that Quinn will. But I hold no bitterness to either and believe both deserve a chance to bounce back. But if they don't, especially as to Quinn I'd want him gone.

Well said. Something I thought of recently…everyone is talking about the Blough hire as a ballsy move. As a calculated risk, an aggressive, brave choice.

I’ve not seen anyone speculate that there is even a 1% chance that the root cause of the Blough hire is actually fear.

It’s ugly, but to not even consider it? Reckless.

This goes back to what you’re saying about Quinn’s introspection and obsession with not making the same mistakes again. If that’s a process-oriented thought, that can be good. If it’s results-oriented, possibly less so if the reason behind the error isn’t actually pinned down. And the number of times it comes out in the reporting around this hire that Quinn is stuck on losing LaFleur + McDaniel after Shanahan left, and he can’t have that happen again…it potentially obscures things. It’s just as likely that it’s a DEFENSIVE decision as it is an aggressive one. Maybe not equally as likely, but there’s also some percentage chance that it’s a decision rooted in the fear of repeating past mistakes, rather than one made bravely and calmly in the current context of the moment. More than a 0% chance, at least. And no one is acknowledging that.

Like someone who loses their longtime girlfriend because they won’t commit and propose, and then marries the next girl they date after 8 months so as not to repeat the mistake. Not all decisions are made for the right reasons, even if on the surface that reason is not repeating past mistakes.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Well said, I have the same outlook toward what appears to be his mind set in regards to his approach to the HC position. In my mind, plainly speaking, you get the right players and coaches then you get the X's and O's right, the rest of the "fluff", though also important, is ultimately secondary and tends to naturally follow. A great locker room is desirable but you have to get the other stuff right or that great locker room is meaningless.

Yeah its just a bit much. And talent and X's and O'd exceeds motivation IMO.

And everything being equal I like Quinn's approach better than Rivera. Rivera would likely just have his head in the sand and be stubborn and double down on it all and absolutely would use excuses like the injuries.

It's commendable that Quinn isn't using excuses including injuries and heck even when talking about injuries he frames in the context of what they can do better to prevent them. I love all of that.

But the Blough hire the more I digest it is a bit weird. And if its about Quinn learning from the past, etc -- i think he's overdoing it.

While I think the rested on their laurels and go complacent this past off season, I also don't think like some do here that the 2024 season was a mirage. Get Jayden healthy. Add a WR-TE. Add 4-5 pieces to the defense -- they have the high pick to add a great player and enough cap room with a decent FA class IMO.

It feels like Quinn is feeling the heat in a big way from the past season. And again I like that to some extent. But I don't want to see a weird version lol of Quinn dealing with the heat. Will see if more is to come.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Well said. Something I thought of recently…everyone is talking about the Blough hire as a ballsy move. As a calculated risk, an aggressive, brave choice.

I’ve not seen anyone speculate that there is even a 1% chance that the root cause of the Blough hire is actually fear.

It’s ugly, but to not even consider it? Reckless.

This goes back to what you’re saying about Quinn’s introspection and obsession with not making the same mistakes again. If that’s a process-oriented thought, that can be good. If it’s results-oriented, possibly less so if the reason behind the error isn’t actually pinned down. And the number of times it comes out in the reporting around this hire that Quinn is stuck on losing LaFleur + McDaniel after Shanahan left, and he can’t have that happen again…it potentially obscures things. It’s just as likely that it’s a DEFENSIVE decision as it is an aggressive one. Maybe not equally as likely, but there’s also some percentage chance that it’s a decision rooted in the fear of repeating past mistakes, rather than one made bravely and calmly in the current context of the moment. More than a 0% chance, at least. And no one is acknowledging that.

Like someone who loses their longtime girlfriend because they won’t commit and propose, and then marries the next girl they date after 8 months so as not to repeat the mistake. Not all decisions are made for the right reasons, even if on the surface that reason is not repeating past mistakes.

Yeah that's a great way to put it. Fear driven and also reckless at the same time. I think subconsciously it had elements that were in both Peters and Quinn's face. I get the idea that Blough could go to the Lions and kill it right away. Why? Because you see how loaded that team is with weapons. That FO went to town on it. This FO (Peters did not). So sticking with your girlfriend analogy, you know your girlfriend if they leave you is going to date the millionaire ex-football player with an adonis physique. So it brings up your own insecurities and you'll do anything so that she doesn't leave.

I've been using my share of Rocky analogies. The scene in Rocky 4 after Apollo dies, Rocky gets into his sports car in angst and relives highlights of his career, good and bad, to help form his next move. Feels that way for Quinn and not all of that might be good -- him in this existential crisis and lol us fans will have to live through it. The one thing I do like about is I don't think they will rest on the laurels as to personnel this time around.

I know some don't like Jay. But he understands the process of running an offense. He tries to be diplomatic but also says the hire is a bit weird. The title of that tweet is deceiving.

 

[Phantvm]

I still think Blough has more to do with Newmark/Peters than it does Quinn. All this bending over backwards to avoid some pseudo hindsight mistake in Atlanta seems like retconned well wishing. That all seems like the pitch as to why this was the right way to go while simultaneously having nothing to do with why we did it.

Why do those guys success equate to Blough being a success? It’s foolish. Who in their right minds would entrust the certainty of their own career to someone so woefully inexperienced unless essentially directed to do so. That’s the straight line I can draw.

To be connected to literally no one actually qualified for the role and just hire Blough almost as an afterthought is quite telling IMO.

 

[Chris]

I don’t buy that Blough was hired as an afterthought. His hiring was announced a mere 3 days after the parting with Kingsbury was. To me the speed of the decision alone rules out the afterthought.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I still think Blough has more to do with Newmark/Peters than it does Quinn. All this bending over backwards to avoid some pseudo hindsight mistake in Atlanta seems like retconned well wishing. That all seems like the pitch as to why this was the right way to go while simultaneously having nothing to do with why we did it.

Why do those guys success equate to Blough being a success? It’s foolish. Who in their right minds would entrust the certainty of their own career to someone so woefully inexperienced unless essentially directed to do so. That’s the straight line I can draw.

To be connected to literally no one actually qualified for the role and just hire Blough almost as an afterthought is quite telling IMO.

Keim is rarely wrong. Sheehan doubled down on it too, he doesn't report mucxh but when he does he is rarely wrong. Peters also for his faults doesn't seem like a liar.

A lot of people would have to be wrong who are normally right on this for this to be a Newmark-Peters thing. I don't doubt Quinn talked to Peters on it and they endorsed it and were on the same page.

But aside from trusted reporters getting it wrong and Peters lying through his teeth if this happened -- they should already fire Quinn if they did this because it would mean you don't trust him because you don't foist a coordinator on a head coach.

Quinn has actually talked publicly about one of his bigger regrets is how he dealt with the succession plan in atlanta and how he wanted to build a natural succession plan with this offense. That wasn't rumor or conjecture. He openly talked about it.

So for people like Keim to hear that was a driving force behind this, there is no reason for me not to trust it. Cooley used to joke that Keim is never wrong because he waits for 7 sources to confirm things.

Inside Washington Commanders' high-stakes reset in 2026

Parting ways with Kliff Kingsbury was a bold move that raised the stakes for Dan Quinn & Co. this offseason.

www.espn.com

The mutual parting with Kingsbury surprised many, however. Multiple people around the team and in the league said they struggled to understand the move given the success of Washington's offense in 2024, when it ranked fifth in points and seventh in yards en route to a surprise NFC title game appearance. The Commanders were 22nd in both areas this season, a decline owed largely to injuries to key contributors, especially Daniels.

But the move highlighted a philosophical rift regarding the unit. Quinn and Kingsbury didn't share the same offensive vision for the future, according to multiple team and league sources. According to multiple team sources, Quinn wanted a different offensive identity and spoke often with his staff of wanting a better run-pass balance.

If any philosophical issues existed last season, they were masked by winning. One team source said this season unmasked the divide. Washington ran the ball more down the stretch and finished the season ranked ninth in number of rushes, but it was 25th in carries by its backs. The Commanders were fifth and 19th, respectively, last season.

The speed with which Quinn moved on Kingsbury was noteworthy to some. The feeling among multiple team and league sources is that if Quinn doesn't succeed in Washington, he will likely not get a third chance as a head coach. So, waiting until it's too late to make a move was not an option. Quinn has said as much himself: When he was Atlanta's head coach, he once said he felt he didn't make some moves soon enough. He didn't want to wait in Washington.

 

[Pokey]

I still think Blough has more to do with Newmark/Peters than it does Quinn. All this bending over backwards to avoid some pseudo hindsight mistake in Atlanta seems like retconned well wishing. That all seems like the pitch as to why this was the right way to go while simultaneously having nothing to do with why we did it.

Why do those guys success equate to Blough being a success? It’s foolish. Who in their right minds would entrust the certainty of their own career to someone so woefully inexperienced unless essentially directed to do so. That’s the straight line I can draw.

To be connected to literally no one actually qualified for the role and just hire Blough almost as an afterthought is quite telling IMO.

That's my take as well.

Hiring Blough is taking a big risk. In my mind, I can't see this being a success unless other pieces of the offensive staff are experienced, accomplished, and collaborative. And, if that's the case, why risk their careers being on the same staff as an unproven 30-year-old who's never installed an offence before?

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

That's my take as well.

Hiring Blough is taking a big risk. In my mind, I can't see this being a success unless other pieces of the offensive staff are experienced, accomplished, and collaborative. And, if that's the case, why risk their careers being on the same staff as an unproven 30-year-old who's never installed an offence before?

It is a valid question but I wouldn’t say that means it was not DQ’s decision.

I also believe DQ hired KK and decided he wanted more running. That was foolish as many have posted.

I also believe RR hired EB after an offseason stating the identity needed to be running.

My point is, some people don’t have a good knack for hiring. As a HC who wants to lead the org (football wise, not full org) and stay out of the weeds, DQ needs to be good at recognizing talent, recognizing good fits, and overall hiring. So far, it is fair to be concerned, but since he has made some head scratching decisions (1) this could be another, or (2) he could feel Blough is ready to go, or (3) he may have gotten the org to buy into a two year plan with him and Blough.

I would see any of those three scenarios as possible.

 

[Riggo44]

I can't see this being a success unless other pieces of the offensive staff are experienced, accomplished, and collaborative.

Brian Johnson was an OC that garnered HC attention. He made Jalen Hurts an MVP candidate. Anthony Lynn has served as HC, OC and is the run game coordinator. They still have to hire an OL coach.

 

[Chris]

Brian Johnson was an OC that garnered HC attention. He made Jalen Hurts an MVP candidate. Anthony Lynn has served as HC, OC and is the run game coordinator. They still have to hire an OL coach.

Has it been announced that Johnson and Lynn are remaining with the team? Maybe it’s not necessary if they are. I haven’t heard a whisper either way.

 

[Phantvm]

Keim is rarely wrong. Sheehan doubled down on it too, he doesn't report mucxh but when he does he is rarely wrong. Peters also for his faults doesn't seem like a liar.

A lot of people would have to be wrong who are normally right on this for this to be a Newmark-Peters thing. I don't doubt Quinn talked to Peters on it and they endorsed it and were on the same page.

But aside from trusted reporters getting it wrong and Peters lying through his teeth if this happened -- they should already fire Quinn if they did this because it would mean you don't trust him because you don't foist a coordinator on a head coach.

Quinn has actually talked publicly about one of his bigger regrets is how he dealt with the succession plan in atlanta and how he wanted to build a natural succession plan with this offense. That wasn't rumor or conjecture. He openly talked about it.

So for people like Keim to hear that was a driving force behind this, there is no reason for me not to trust it. Cooley used to joke that Keim is never wrong because he waits for 7 sources to confirm things.

Inside Washington Commanders' high-stakes reset in 2026

Parting ways with Kliff Kingsbury was a bold move that raised the stakes for Dan Quinn & Co. this offseason.

www.espn.com

The mutual parting with Kingsbury surprised many, however. Multiple people around the team and in the league said they struggled to understand the move given the success of Washington's offense in 2024, when it ranked fifth in points and seventh in yards en route to a surprise NFC title game appearance. The Commanders were 22nd in both areas this season, a decline owed largely to injuries to key contributors, especially Daniels.

But the move highlighted a philosophical rift regarding the unit. Quinn and Kingsbury didn't share the same offensive vision for the future, according to multiple team and league sources. According to multiple team sources, Quinn wanted a different offensive identity and spoke often with his staff of wanting a better run-pass balance.

If any philosophical issues existed last season, they were masked by winning. One team source said this season unmasked the divide. Washington ran the ball more down the stretch and finished the season ranked ninth in number of rushes, but it was 25th in carries by its backs. The Commanders were fifth and 19th, respectively, last season.

The speed with which Quinn moved on Kingsbury was noteworthy to some. The feeling among multiple team and league sources is that if Quinn doesn't succeed in Washington, he will likely not get a third chance as a head coach. So, waiting until it's too late to make a move was not an option. Quinn has said as much himself: When he was Atlanta's head coach, he once said he felt he didn't make some moves soon enough. He didn't want to wait in Washington.

Do you think Keim or Sheehan are going to report any of this if it’s true? I don’t. Schultz did though. Like it or not. We didn’t even interview anyone that could realistically be considered someone that would’ve or could’ve gotten the job over Blough.

Like I said earlier in the thread, Quinn hired this guy but input from Peters/Newmark was greatly weighted. Ask this, if Quinn is on any sort of hot seat whatsoever, why would Peters trust him, and him alone, to ruin another year of his prized possession in Jayden?

None of any of this makes sense unless Peters wants Blough. Suddenly then it all makes sense.

 

[Bulldog]

I think Kingsbury carried himself like a head coach and wanted to exercise the kind of independence that neither Peters nor Quinn was willing to accept.

They dealt with the ego issues in 2024 because the team won games. Teams put up with a lot when they are successful. But once the wins go away you are left with the relationships and trust and in this case I don't think there really was any trust between the team and KK.

 

[Riggo44]

Has it been announced that Johnson and Lynn are remaining with the team? Maybe it’s not necessary if they are. I haven’t heard a whisper either way.

I think we would have heard they were leaving by now. I don't imagine this move was made without telling them first.

 

[burgold]

This feels true. During the glory years, Gibbs famously let Pettibone run the defense and rarely, if ever, stepped into his fiefdom. That said, I don't think there was ever any question about how was top dog or if Gibbs did speak that Pettibone would listen.

I think Kingsbury carried himself like a head coach and wanted to exercise the kind of independence that neither Peters nor Quinn was willing to accept.

They dealt with the ego issues in 2024 because the team won games. Teams put up with a lot when they are successful. But once the wins go away you are left with the relationships and trust and in this case I don't think there really was any trust between the team and KK.

 

[burgold]

I do wonder how intact the coaching staffs will remain.

It is remarkable how much the narrative has flipped. In 2024, everyone praised Quinn's ability to assemble a staff and people, media, pundits, pretty much everyone agreed that no one but Quinn could have put together this kind of all star staff because few had the relationships he did. One year later, everyone is under scrutiny.

Overreaction, thy true name is fandom.

 

[Conn]

Do you think Keim or Sheehan are going to report any of this if it’s true? I don’t. Schultz did though. Like it or not. We didn’t even interview anyone that could realistically be considered someone that would’ve or could’ve gotten the job over Blough.

Like I said earlier in the thread, Quinn hired this guy but input from Peters/Newmark was greatly weighted. Ask this, if Quinn is on any sort of hot seat whatsoever, why would Peters trust him, and him alone, to ruin another year of his prized possession in Jayden?

None of any of this makes sense unless Peters wants Blough. Suddenly then it all makes sense.

Schultz so clearly got his report from Kliff’s agent that I’m shocked anyone could see it differently. Same way he got his McLaurin holdout report: from the agent, with a narrative to push. That’s the majority of his reporting.

 

[Conn]

I do wonder how intact the coaching staffs will remain.

It is remarkable how much the narrative has flipped. In 2024, everyone praised Quinn's ability to assemble a staff and people, media, pundits, pretty much everyone agreed that no one but Quinn could have put together this kind of all star staff because few had the relationships he did. One year later, everyone is under scrutiny.

Overreaction, thy true name is fandom.

I mean, it was the organization that fired both coordinators and is shaking up the staff, not the fandom. So is it the organization overreacting? If not, then the fans can’t be overreacting either. If so, then there are larger issues that again, don’t involve the fans.